2

Evie's pov

He laughs softly when I reach him, his arms wide so I can fall into them like usual. Once I do, he snuggles me in and I breathe in his scent of pine.

His scent always relaxes me.

"You still run like you're about to fall," he jokes as he ruffles my hair like he used to when we were kids. He's just two years older than me and Kim.

"I do not," I whine but my voice gets muffled on his chest.

We pull away and grin at each other. "Where are you heading to so early?"

I hesitated a bit to tell him because I knew he'd be upset. "Hannah's. Kim forgot the necklace you gifted her last year there. She really needs it before noon."

His smirk falters and the skin between his eyebrows line into a frown. " Why couldn't she go take it back herself or have Hannah bring it over? And are you," his eyes drop to my feet. "Walking?"

He didn't sound the least bit pleased and when I nod, his expression darkened.

" Get in the car Evie, I'll drive you there myself," he grumble.

Uh oh. He used my name. Which means he's annoyed.

My bottom lip rolled between my teeth as I start to chew on the flesh nervously. My parents and Kimberly hated that Ryan and I were close. They hated it even more when my wolf didn't show up. Which meant the alpha was hanging out with the weakling of the pack.

That kind of thing is frowned upon.

I was their embarrassment.

They've said it themselves that they wished I wasn't born. They wished that I didn't share a womb with my oh so precious sister. That I didn't deserve to breathe the same air as perfect Kimberly.

I was weak. In every aspect except for studies which I excelled in more than anyone in this pack. But what good did it do when Kimberly always switched our papers and ended up with the praises?

I was useless to them all.

But Ryan never looked at me differently. He never seemed to care that I was the weakling of the pack despite my parents being the betas.

I looked behind me nervously. I could still see our house from here and Kim or any one of my parents could see me get into his car. They'd give me hell when I get back and he leaves.

They never dared to treat me badly when he's around. Though he noticed something was off a few times when Kim bosses me around.

They never physically hurt me in fear Ryan would see and know. Only verbally abuse me. Break me down until I feel little beneath their feet.

"No, that's okay," I return my gaze back to his and forced a smile. "I can walk. Besides I'm sweaty from being in the kitchen for so long and I need the little walk to clear my head,"

His eyes flickered behind me, following where my glance had once been. His jaw flexed and his shoulders grow stiff. He was becoming more annoyed.

"Get in the car Evie," his voice left no room for argument but I didn't want to cause any trouble for Kim tonight.

I shook my head and side stepped him as I utter over my shoulder. "It's fine Ryan. I can walk-

A squeal leaves my throat when I'm suddenly lifted up and placed over his broad shoulder. With my head on his back and my feet dangling, I gasp when his arm grasp my thigh to hold me steady.

Heat flushes on my skin. The touch was supposed to be innocent but his fingers.....they were so close to my inner thighs and it didn't help that I wore a dress today.

If he shifts his fingers just a little higher, they would brush against my clit.

The thought had me clenching and my cheeks burn.

Oh no.

Ryan was off limits. He was always off limits. Not only was he going to be Kim's mate, but he would never be with someone so weak like me.

"Ryan put me down!" I shriek low as I didn't want to draw in attention.

"I will, in my seat," he grumbles and strides toward his car. In a few seconds I was seated. He leans over to buckle me and my breath hitches.

His scent. The way his warmth brushes against me.

My heart pounds and my cheek flushes.

I hope he didn't pick up the scent of my arousal. I clenched my thighs together to hopefully stop myself from getting turned on even further.

"Next time be a good girl and listen to me, Evie," he pulls away slightly to look at me and I hold my breath when our eyes clash. He doesn't look away and I can't either.

"Because bad girls get punished." His voice is hoarse now, darker with something swimming in the tone. It causes my thighs to press together more as a tingling sensation throbs between my legs.